The Crystal Design Center has yet another meat-centric bistro in the shape of Grill101 (Navamin City Avenue, Kaset Navamin Rd., 02-907-1467), complete with requisite black framed windows and bar. But the food is also looking to Japan, with dishes like the recommended Kobe strip loin (B2,200 for 120 grams) and Australian sliced beef (B250) along with beer promotions like buy-one-get-one free draught Paulaner (B150) till Feb. Even if you’re not into the beef, they also have some fusion dishes like spaghetti cream shoyu sauce with mushroom (B170).

After the opening of trendy tea café Double Dogs in Yaowarat, its neighbor, 70-year-old grocery store Lor Yaowaraj (388 Yaowarat Rd., Bangkok, 02-622-4083, 02-622-4034), is now making waves, too. The place is run by a fourth generation owner who just hired the popular food stylists of Karb Studio to instigate a revamp with bright contrasting colors and Chinese green lanterns. Many of the old products remain, such as seasonings, tea and snacks. But you can now also sample ice-cream from the Kiintim (089-927-9425) stall in front. The iced pastel bars come with Thai dessert flavors like the lip-smacking khao niew tua dum (sticky rice with black beans and coconut, B35).